~ ~ ~ L.A. Italian Festival
Founded by Jimmy Kimmel and Doug DeLuca in 2002, the West Coast variation of the Feast of San Gennaro has taken place every Septmeber since in Hollywood, California. The festival begins with a parade featuring both traditional, Italian-American cultural icons and local entertainers (including the Hollywood High School marching band). The parade leads to a full Catholic Mass, presented by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and continues with feasting, live music and an amusement fair atmosphere into the night.